When Cream City Rickshaw opened earlier this summer, it not only became Milwaukee’s newest source of public transportation – it also became its greenest.
Unlike the city’s buses and taxis, Cream City Rickshaw helps people get around via its fleet of 15 bicycle rickshaws, which can accommodate up to three passengers. While Milwaukee County buses charge standard rates per ride and taxis generally charge per mile, the rickshaw service has an entirely different pricing mode.
“When we’re on the streets, it’s trips for tips,” said Andrew Otis, owner of Cream City Rickshaw. “There’s no standard rate. We want people to pay what they think is reasonable.”
To make a profit, Cream City Rickshaw is selling advertising space on its bikes.
Cream City Rickshaw is based at 1020 E. Land Place, just a few blocks north of Brady Street on the city’s east side. Most of its riders are in the downtown area.
“It’s really up to our drivers,” Otis said. “They can take you anywhere you want to go. The downtown crowds are something we want to get more into – we just need to get more (drivers) out there.”
All of the company’s bikes have 21 speeds, allowing drivers to carry up to three passengers at a time. They are also equipped with running lights, brake lights and electric turning signals. The rickshaws have canopies that can be completely enclosed, so passengers can ride in comfort in the late fall and early spring.
“We’ll have blankets back there and who knows, maybe we’ll even get electric blankets that our riders can power when they pedal,” Otis said.
Cream City Rickshaw opened for business on July 1, but its bikes didn’t hit the streets until early August. The company now has about 15 employees. That number will grow to 35 to 40 when it reaches full operating capacity this fall or next summer, Otis said.
The company is now looking for extra drivers, and Otis hopes to attract knowledgeable, friendly drivers who believe in a “greener” society.
“These need to be social, friendly people who believe in biking and greening up the environment,” he said. “We’ll take on as many as we can.”
Otis previously operated Otis & Otis Properties, a property management company. Cream City Rickshaw is financed entirely by Otis.
Earlier this year, he spent several months traveling to large cities across the country, where he saw several operating rickshaw taxi services.
“Initially, I was going to move to Portland (Oregon), but I love Milwaukee and wanted to bring it here,” he said. “I want Milwaukee to embrace the bicycle culture even more. The bike culture has grown a lot over the last two or three years. I hope that the public perceives us as a viable alternative to a taxi or driving their own cars. I’ve seen it a lot in other cities and it’s a fun source of transportation and entertainment.”
For more, visit: www.creamcityrickshaw.com
